'Don't Throw Your Smokes in the NOKE!' Initiative

“Don’t Throw Your Smokes in the NOKE!” was launched because 65 percent of all cigarettes butts end up as litter. That is why the City of Roanoke has joined forces with Roanoke County in a valley-wide campaign to raise awareness about littering, in particular cigarette butts.

Last year the city posted humorous anti-litter signs around downtown with creative slogans such as “Butt What”, “No Butts About It” and “No Ifs, Ands or Butts”. In October of 2015, at a press conference held with Roanoke County, the second phase of the campaign was launched with the “Don’t Throw Your Smokes in the NOKE!” featured Ford Explorer. The vehicle, which was provided by the Office of Environmental Management, is wrapped with the campaign slogan and bold graphics. Billboards, social media and the signs around town complete the campaign.

All littering is problematic but cigarette butts are the most frequently littered item. They are small and tend to collect in tight places making them and difficult to clean up. They can take up to 20 years to decompose. They present a particular hazard to our stormwater system and they pollute our parks, streets and waterways. So let’s think twice before littering, find an appropriate container and keep Roanoke Clean & Green!